Watch For the Signs of the Times!!!! An Overview of Matthew 24--The Rise of the Antichrist

he Antichrist One-World Government and the Great Tribulation

All of these sobering signs, the increase in disasters, famines and wars, were the "beginning of sorrows." The fact that the Gospel has been preached brings us to the next phase: The very last days. Now Jesus is going to be even more specific about the exact end of things:

Matthew 24:15-21 Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand), (16) then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. (17) Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. (18) And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. (19) But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! (20) And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. (21) For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.

The Antichrist, his government, his image, and his mark

Matthew 24: 15 When you see the ‘abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place…

Jesus is referring to the prophecies in the book of Daniel.

Daniel 11:31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.

There are many references in Revelation and other places in the Bible that also expand on this. I won’t go into a detailed study here, but I'll summarize.

The Bible says that when the Antichrist claims control of the world, he sets up some kind of an Image or an idol, "the Abomination of Desolation" which the people of the world are ordered to worship, signifying their worship of him.

Revelation Chapter 13 puts this in terms that we can understand quite easily, so let's look at the key verses.

Revelation 13:14-15 And [the Antichrist's false prophet] deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. (15) He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.

The "beast" is the Antichrist. But the Image of the Beast is something else. How could an image speak? If you think of an old marble idol, it's hard to picture it; but try thinking of a computer that sends out instructions, whether the instructions are literally verbal or written, does it make more sense? It's sure easier to imagine. We don't know what the Image will be, but it is now technologically possible for it to be "speaking."

Revelation 13:16-18 He[The false prophet] causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, (17) and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (18) Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.

Here's the famous "Mark of the Beast" or "666." It sounds like some kind of financial control, because without the mark, nobody is allowed to buy or sell.

(This mark is possibly a chip or RFID ink, tattooed, injected or embedded underneath the skin. This kind of technology has been available for a while now, and is being marketed as extremely useful and even trendy.)

Take a look at these articles to find out more!!! (Coming soon)

ntil this point in history, no government could have had such total control, but now the technology is available in ways that are unprecedented!

Society is even being prepared and convinced that such a government would be the solution to the world's pressing problems; a New World Order.

The mechanisms of the Antichrist's New World Order are being put in place little by little. Technology has broken down borders and national sovereignty has become less important.

These conditions will make the creation of a one-world government relatively simple. It's happening so gradually that global government will be a logical next step.

The poor of the world will certainly embrace it. At the moment, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, and those who are poverty-stricken won't think it can get any worse.

The mark will probably be touted as a great financial convenience, but there is more to it than that.

In the Bible receiving the mark and worshipping the Beast are usually mentioned together. Though it doesn't specifically say how they relate, the implication is that receiving the mark is part of accepting the Antichrist's rule and something God's children should therefore not do.

Revelation 14:9-10 If anyone worships the Beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God.

he Great Tribulation

Matthew 24: 21 For then there will be great tribulation…

When the Antichrist has set up his Image, Jesus Himself said then begins the Great Tribulation!

We know from other Scriptures that the Antichrist will rule for seven years (Daniel 9:27), and he sets up his Image halfway through. The Great Tribulation begins halfway through his reign.

Not all seven years of his reign is tribulation, the first half is perhaps going to be fairly good, restoration of peace and the economy, a worldwide government at last, and perhaps less wars, especially at the beginning.

The "Great Tribulation" is a time of persecution of Christians and other devout religious believers.

It's going to be dangerous for those who love God and stand up for Him and refuse to accept the Mark of the Beast. The New World Order's forces will be trying to kill those who refuse to worship the Antichrist.

Contrary to what some prophecy teachers have taught, the Christians of the world are still going to be here during the Tribulation.

They're going to have to go through it. But the Lord assures us:

Matthew 24:22-And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.

The Lord doesn't let it last too long, so it won't be too hard on you and me. Otherwise, "no flesh would be saved." During this time, the Lord's children will be miraculously protected and provided for, and it will also be a time of great witnessing and reaping.

If you’re still worried, here are some inspiring, encouraging messages straight from Jesus to you about this!!!!(Coming soon)